Man you don't know how much I appreciate this video. I stayed up until 2 a.m. this morning replacing my alternator on my 2012 Toyota Sienna. Before I started I looked at a few videos but found yours the most helpful. I kept my phone sitting in the engine compartment and was able to do this challenging job even though I'm not a mechanic. Thanks so much. There was a few parts where you sped it up and I could tell you were talking but could not understand you that may have been helpful if you wouldn't have. I can always skip ahead or put it in 2x speed but a person can't slow it down if you have it in hyper speed. Other than that I followed along step by step and got the job done!
I hope all the engineers at Toyota are watching this. The alternator should always be an easy part to access, remove a few bolts and be done. This is nonsense
It's complicated for a reason (aka: planned/designed to increase revenue). It's sad really... but It's all about the manufacturer earning additional $ AFTER selling the car/van. The more complicated the repair, the better chance a rookie DIY person will balk at fixing it themselves & thus, will take it into the dealership to get it repaired. And as much as I like Toyota, every vehicle generation they make seems to be a lot harder to repair than the previous generation. 😢
So much more involved than my caravan. Hopefully I don't regret becoming a two minivan family with this Toyota. I should be able to manage with your helpful video. Thanks so much!
As electricien, I tell you that, it's the positive pole you should disconnect... yes you remeve negative from batteries but it still have positive 12volts on the alternator câbles so if any parts of the car touch the ground it can be a kid doing the return to ground. The positive can goes back in the negative or to the ground. If somebody had the car on a garage lift, the lift is electric grounded and touch the car underneath, so be sure you will gonna spark something like the way you did with the battery. I friendly tell it. Thanks for the video, very helpful. Because with mecanic I have no tip for you... you work well. Thanks again.
Even Toyota dealer also sell OEM remam Alternator. There is not the brand new ALT selling. But, the one you bought is almost new every thing. New bearings, pulley, brushes, regulator even the aluminum housing. They tested the diot set. if it noise I believe they replace the diot set too. Replaced the alt with the dealer part is good thing. The alt would last you 3 years and 30k miles easy. My friend used the Autozon part and it could last 4 years. After I drove my van for 11 years and 4 more years for the new alt I think the van is too old and need to be retired. I don't need lifetime warranty on the alt. If the life time warranty alt is electrical noise, it will cause more problem later and it very difficult to diagnose.
Appreciate the video ... One of the frustrating thing I had to deal with as a Mechanic is not seeing the L shape Bracket on the side of the engine block...it cost my day You may want to emphasize on that bracket for your audience ... even though you did covered it briefly....Thanks for Video God Bless! ;)
Thanks for the feedback, you are correct, the L bracket is hidden and very much a pain, if you don't know to look for it. The wire harness which is clipped to the bracket is a nightmare as well.
Hi Toyota car owners, for an alternator replacement you have to take so many components off in order to get yo your alternator. What a smart idea from Toyota enginner, they do not care about future replacement for faulty components. Just think about the great idea about their oiler filter. It is not cheaper and oil still stays in the housing after you remove the cap. I notice that they change the aluminium housing into plastic one, another cost saving and great idea. I heard a lot of people complaining abot crack from the plastic oil filter housing. Nowaday you just open the hood and able to change the oil filter without underneasth the car. Of course the simple idea is not from Toyota, it is from their competitor.
Great video .. my dealership wants 1200$ to do this job 600$ labor .. 600$ for toyota oem alternator from dealers parts department.. crazy prices .. changing an alternator ain’t Like it use to be..
When installing the alternator back in, do you clip the bracket back onto the plastic clip or just leave it loose? Also i had a hard time with the 14mm bolt and ended up taking off the tensioner pulley and was able to get it off. thank you for the video.
Thanks for the question, I did re-attach the clip. I didn't want to take a chance that the wiring would touch something hot and melt. Glad I could help you tackle this job.
If you put leads on the alternator output to test the voltage. It should be anywhere from 14.7 to 13.9 volts while running. If it is lower than that the alternator is getting weak.
Thanks for your question, it took me approximately 4 hours total. I spent about 2hrs disassembling. It was a little faster going back together, but I spent a little extra time checking everything.
Anyone else have issues with the mount tolerances being too tight to get the new alternator on? I'm wondering if I'm going to have to file the alternator arms down.
Thanks for the question, I can't say I have run into that issue before. I have changed my share of alternators, OEM and aftermarket. Hope you were able to make fit or confirm the correct part number.
Yes, I removed the small bracket in back and attached it to the new alternator before installing it. Remember to disconnect the wire harness clip from the bracket so it can be removed.
@@richofalltrades1 I was asking whether you need to completely remove both ends of the Bracket from alternator, before you can take out the alternator. My guess is that you only need to remove the side where the bracket connects to engine block.
That's right, you can leave the bracket connected to the alternator and just disconnect from the block. But you have disconnect the wire harness clip from the bracket or the alternator won't come out.
Yeah, I’m gonna pay Toyota. I don’t even have half the tools and I can’t imagine me not dropping bolts and putting them back on in a timely manner. Thank you though. $ 1500.00 more out of my pocket, but the van will run after their done with it
Man you don't know how much I appreciate this video. I stayed up until 2 a.m. this morning replacing my alternator on my 2012 Toyota Sienna. Before I started I looked at a few videos but found yours the most helpful. I kept my phone sitting in the engine compartment and was able to do this challenging job even though I'm not a mechanic. Thanks so much. There was a few parts where you sped it up and I could tell you were talking but could not understand you that may have been helpful if you wouldn't have. I can always skip ahead or put it in 2x speed but a person can't slow it down if you have it in hyper speed.
Other than that I followed along step by step and got the job done!
Thanks for the feedback, I will keep that in mind as I do other automotive step by step videos. I am glad you found the video useful.
For the tensioner I used an impact drill bit. Is hard enough, do I'm right?
I hope all the engineers at Toyota are watching this. The alternator should always be an easy part to access, remove a few bolts and be done. This is nonsense
It's complicated for a reason (aka: planned/designed to increase revenue).
It's sad really... but It's all about the manufacturer earning additional $ AFTER selling the car/van. The more complicated the repair, the better chance a rookie DIY person will balk at fixing it themselves & thus, will take it into the dealership to get it repaired.
And as much as I like Toyota, every vehicle generation they make seems to be a lot harder to repair than the previous generation. 😢
So much more involved than my caravan. Hopefully I don't regret becoming a two minivan family with this Toyota. I should be able to manage with your helpful video. Thanks so much!
You can do it!
Thanks for the video. Saved me tons. Best one I found. I did not have an easy time removing the wire from the mounting bracket.
Thanks for the feedback, I am glad it was helpful.
Good job brother. You’re better than an old school Chilton manual 😆
Thanks for the positive feedback.
As electricien, I tell you that, it's the positive pole you should disconnect... yes you remeve negative from batteries but it still have positive 12volts on the alternator câbles so if any parts of the car touch the ground it can be a kid doing the return to ground. The positive can goes back in the negative or to the ground. If somebody had the car on a garage lift, the lift is electric grounded and touch the car underneath, so be sure you will gonna spark something like the way you did with the battery. I friendly tell it. Thanks for the video, very helpful. Because with mecanic I have no tip for you... you work well. Thanks again.
Thank you for the feedback, good information. I'll be sure to disconnect both positive and negative on the battery going forward.
This has no thumbs up for a reason !!
Thanks a million, bro, you saved me lots of money!!!
Thanks for the feedback. Glad I could help.
Even Toyota dealer also sell OEM remam Alternator. There is not the brand new ALT selling. But, the one you bought is almost new every thing. New bearings, pulley, brushes, regulator even the aluminum housing. They tested the diot set. if it noise I believe they replace the diot set too. Replaced the alt with the dealer part is good thing. The alt would last you 3 years and 30k miles easy. My friend used the Autozon part and it could last 4 years. After I drove my van for 11 years and 4 more years for the new alt I think the van is too old and need to be retired. I don't need lifetime warranty on the alt. If the life time warranty alt is electrical noise, it will cause more problem later and it very difficult to diagnose.
Appreciate the video ... One of the frustrating thing I had to deal with as a Mechanic is not seeing the L shape Bracket on the side of the engine block...it cost my day You may want to emphasize on that bracket for your audience ... even though you did covered it briefly....Thanks for Video God Bless! ;)
Thanks for the feedback, you are correct, the L bracket is hidden and very much a pain, if you don't know to look for it. The wire harness which is clipped to the bracket is a nightmare as well.
Hi Toyota car owners, for an alternator replacement you have to take so many components off in order to get yo your alternator. What a smart idea from Toyota enginner, they do not care about future replacement for faulty components. Just think about the great idea about their oiler filter. It is not cheaper and oil still stays in the housing after you remove the cap. I notice that they change the aluminium housing into plastic one, another cost saving and great idea. I heard a lot of people complaining abot crack from the plastic oil filter housing. Nowaday you just open the hood and able to change the oil filter without underneasth the car. Of course the simple idea is not from Toyota, it is from their competitor.
Thanks for watching and the feedback.
Great video .. my dealership wants 1200$ to do this job 600$ labor .. 600$ for toyota oem alternator from dealers parts department.. crazy prices .. changing an alternator ain’t Like it use to be..
Thanks for the feedback, I am glad I could help.
When installing the alternator back in, do you clip the bracket back onto the plastic clip or just leave it loose? Also i had a hard time with the 14mm bolt and ended up taking off the tensioner pulley and was able to get it off. thank you for the video.
Thanks for the question, I did re-attach the clip. I didn't want to take a chance that the wiring would touch something hot and melt. Glad I could help you tackle this job.
Good job. How do you know that it is the alternator that was the problem?
If you put leads on the alternator output to test the voltage. It should be anywhere from 14.7 to 13.9 volts while running. If it is lower than that the alternator is getting weak.
@@richofalltrades1 Thank you.
Very helpful video, thanks for sharing, how long it takes to do this job ?
Thanks for your question, it took me approximately 4 hours total. I spent about 2hrs disassembling. It was a little faster going back together, but I spent a little extra time checking everything.
Anyone else have issues with the mount tolerances being too tight to get the new alternator on? I'm wondering if I'm going to have to file the alternator arms down.
Thanks for the question, I can't say I have run into that issue before. I have changed my share of alternators, OEM and aftermarket. Hope you were able to make fit or confirm the correct part number.
@@richofalltrades1 I had to file it down. Worked like a charm.
When remove the alternator, do u remove the bracket completely?
Yes, I removed the small bracket in back and attached it to the new alternator before installing it. Remember to disconnect the wire harness clip from the bracket so it can be removed.
@@richofalltrades1 I was asking whether you need to completely remove both ends of the Bracket from alternator, before you can take out the alternator. My guess is that you only need to remove the side where the bracket connects to engine block.
That's right, you can leave the bracket connected to the alternator and just disconnect from the block. But you have disconnect the wire harness clip from the bracket or the alternator won't come out.
@@richofalltrades1 we
what was the mileage on the car when the alternator failed?
Thanks for the question, I believe it was 165k miles when it needed replacing.
Mine went out today on a cold day February at 249k miles. Hate that it happened but the Sienna is the Best car Ive ever had!
Yeah, I’m gonna pay Toyota. I don’t even have half the tools and I can’t imagine me not dropping bolts and putting them back on in a timely manner. Thank you though. $ 1500.00 more out of my pocket, but the van will run after their done with it
_l would have done it for ya for $750 (installing a brand new oem Toyota (Denso) alternator)._
@@andyroid5028if do it for 500
How many mileage does your car have?
Thanks for the question, I changed the alternator at 165k miles.
@@richofalltrades1 Hopefully I don"t have to change mine soon. 2011 sienna 72k miles